For several years now, air quality measuring stations in the Zasavje region, as well as in other parts of Slovenia, have been showing an extensive number of exceeded daily limit values on an annual basis. Since we are facing the threat of court action being raised in Brussels, each contribution to the reduction of such events (exceedance) is very important. For several years now, most measuring stations throughout Slovenia have been showing exceeded limit values during the New Year’s holiday season resulting from the mass use of fireworks. Therefore, a detailed modelling of the fireworks displays held on New Years Eve, as well as an estimation of private fireworks displays, was carried out based on data from the station located in Zagorje ob Savi, which was pronounced an indisputable “winner” during the holidays in 2010/2011, thus showing the importance of its influence on PM10 concentration levels. The article also outlines other damaging impacts on health caused by the content of these emissions and noise, and discusses the related regulations. The study is also of scientific importance, because there is a measuring station set up for validation purposes in the very vicinity of these fireworks. In addition, the study is also important for raising awareness among the public
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 26487079Air pollution dispersion modelling was performed within the scope of an environmental impact study of the new block 6 at the Šoštanj Thermal power plant (TEŠ). Modelling is made for a period of one year in half-hour time resolution and for two areas of different sizes: at a detail local level (domain resolution of 15km x 15km), and at a regional level (domain resolution of 80km x 80km to determine the situation of the cross-border air pollution in neighbouring Austria.) The air pollution impact originating from a new emission source was assessed within this modelling, alongside with the existing emission sources of the thermal power plant. The latest technologies for air pollution modelling, which were developed and perfected under this research project, were used to obtain the results of the study. Other important findings of this research project are the new methods for evaluating results, which were implemented in this study. The study results were presented to the contracting authority, who ordered the TEŠ study, and afterwards to the Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia, which issues environmental permits. In addition to this, the results were used to successfully conclude the international negotiations with Austria on the construction of the new block 6 at TEŠ, in which we actively participated.
F.17 Transfer of existing technologies, know-how, methods and procedures into practice
COBISS.SI-ID: 26218023PM10 emissions from domestic heating systems are an important issue throughout Slovenia, as well as in the target region of the KOoreg project, that is the Zasavje region. A reliable estimation of PM10 emissions from domestic heating systems is one of the key objectives of the regional modelling of air pollution. The model estimation for this type of emission is predominantly carried out by employing methods based on the sales of energy sources. However, these types of methods are not used in the Zasavje region, because it is common knowledge that most wood is gathered in the forests or purchased from farmers without being recorded. Therefore, we used an iterative methodology of determining emissions, modelling and establishing an agreement between PM10 air emission levels. For this purpose, we used data from the automatic air quality measurement stations located in Prapretno above Hrastnik. We then identified suitable methodological situations, where there were no other sources of PM10 emissions present, except domestic heating systems. The method provided applicable results and showed that emissions in Zasavje that had been estimated so far were substantially underestimated. Results have been presented to decision makers on the local level (mayors and officials responsible for environment) as on the national level (officials at Ministry of environment and Slovenian environment agency).
F.30 Professional assessment of the situation
COBISS.SI-ID: 25191207An easy-to-understand presentation of air pollution dispersion modelling based on the work, results and experience gained under this research project has been made in order to raise awareness among two key target groups: representatives of the authority and the environmental civil society. The article plainly describes both the basics of modelling, as well as the importance of adequate evaluation of the results. In addition to this, modelling and evaluation techniques have also been defined within the legal requirements.
F.34 Consultancy
COBISS.SI-ID: 26307111The lecture on air pollution modelling over the complex terrain was held as one of the periodically lectures at the Slovenian meteorology society, attended by Slovenian experts in the field of meteorology and air pollution. The lecturer presented the results of this research project, which include both the advanced air pollution modelling techniques, as well as the new evaluation methods of the modelling results. The innovations in the field of modelling and the importance of the adequate evaluation of the results were also presented in a professional manner. Moreover, modelling and evaluation techniques have also been defined within the legal requirements.
F.18 Transfer of new know-how to direct users (seminars, fora, conferences)